Easy opening pull tab can end with wide tear strip



July 20, 1965 J. 5. BOZEK 3,195,768

EASY OPENING PULL TAB CAN END WITH WIDE TEAR STRIP Filed June 28, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR $16.3 JoHu $.BOZEK.

ATTORNEYS y 1965 .1. s. BozEK 3,195,768

EASY OPENING PULL TAB CAN END WITH WIDE TEAR STRIP Filed June 28, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent York Filed June 23, 1963, Ser. No.2%,4-15 24 (Jlaims. Il. 220-54) This invention relates in general to newand useful improvements in the manufacture of containers, and morespecifically relates to a container end which is particularly adaptedfor opening without the use of any tools or opening elements other thanthose which are parts of the container.

In the past, it has been necessary for one to have a special opener inorder to open containers of the type wherein products are dispensedthrough the ends of the containers. Recently, there have been developedcontainer ends with tear strips defined therein by weakening lines andthe tear strips have attached thereto pull tabs to facilitate thetearing of the tear strips along the weakening lines. Such containerends have three major defici encies. The deficiency producing the majorproblem is that after the container ends have been weakened to definethe tear strips, any shock imparted to the container, particularly tothe container end, may cause rupture of the container end along one ofthe weakening lines. On the other hand, if the weakening lines are madetoo shallow, then the tear strips cannot be removed with the desiredease.

Another problem encountered is the economical at tachment of a pull tabto the tear strip in a manner wherein a seal is maintained between thepull tab and the tear strip. The third problem has been in the formationof a proper pull tab which is small enough to be confined within thenormal recessed end of a container, such as a can, and at the same timebe of sufiicient strength and size to be effectively gripped in a mannernecessary to effect the tearing of the tear strip from the containerend.

In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention toprovide a container end which has a peripherally extending tear stripwith the tear strip being defined by an inner weakening line and anouter weakening line, the material of the container end adjacent theinner weakening line being reinforced by offsetting the container endimmediately adjacent the inner weakening line and the material of thecontainer end adjacent the outer weakeninig line being similarlyreinforced by the offsetting of the material of the container end.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container end of theeasy opening type, which container end includes a peripheral tear stripdefined by weakening lines, the tear strip being relatively wide ascompared to normal tear strips, and being defined by an outer weakeningline and an inner weakening line, and the container end being offsetadjacent each of the weakeniing lines throughout a major portion of theextent thereof to effect a reinforcing of the can end immediatelyadjacent the weakening lines so as to greatly reduce and, in mostinstances, eliminate the possibility of an accidental rupture of thecontainer end along one of the weakening lines due to impact caused byrough handling during the normal shipment and stor age of the container.

I Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel containerend which is circular in outline and which has a wide tear stripextending about the circumference thereof and being defined by weakeninglines, the container end having an inwardly projectiing rib surroundingan outer one of the weakening lines to reinforce the container endimmediately adjacent the outer weaken- 3.,lifi5fih3 Patented July 20, 1935 ice ing line, and the central portion of the container end beinginwardly recessed immediately adjacent the inner one of the weakeninglines, the central recessed portion being generally kidney-shaped inoutline and serving to provide for the reinforcement of the innerweakening line throughout the extent thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container end of theeasy opening type wherein the container end is provided with aperipherally extending tear strip which is defined by weakening lineswhich include an outer weakening line, an inner weakening line, and anintermediate starting weakening line joining together the inner andouter weakening lines, the starting weakening line being the deepest ofthe three weakening lines, and the inner weakening line being theshallowest of the three whereby opening of the container end isfacilitated while the accidental rupture of the container end along oneof the weakening lines is, for all practical purposes, prevented.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel containerend which includes a tear strip extending generally about the peripherythereof and the tear strip being in part defined by an inner weakeningline, a central portion of the container end being inwardly offsetadjacent to the inner weakening line to reinforce the container endadjacent the inner weakening line, and a pull tab attached to a startingend of the tear strip, the pull tab including a grip portion whichoverlies the inwardly recessed central portion of the container endwherein gripping of the grip portion is facilitated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel plastic pull tabfor use with a tear strip of a container end, the pull tab including anelongated body which is provided at one end thereof with a tubular plugportion adapted to be snapped through a flanged opening in a tear stripand form a seal with the tear strip surrounding the opening, the bodyterminating remote from the plug in a grip portion which has roughenedsurfaces and which is provided with longitudinally offset transverselyextending ribs to facilitate the gripping thereof, the body portionbeing further provided with a central portion of reduced thickness topermit the initial bending of the pull tab body when gripped so that thenecessary gripping of the grip portion may be attained.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel plasticpull tab in accordance with the foregoing wherein the pull tab isprovided with an aligning pin on the upper surface thereof in alignmentwith the plug to facilitate the positioning of the pull tab with respectto the tear strip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel sheet metal pulltab which is reinforced by means of a central rib wherein the pull tabhas a winged channel cross section, the rib being of an increased widthadjacent one end of the pull tab and contoured for the reception of ahead of a rivet utilized in the attachment of the pull tab to a tearstrip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet metal pull tab inaccordance with the foregoing, wherein the end thereof remote from theend to which the rivet is attached is reversely curled and bowedtransversely of the pull tab to form a grip portion which may be readilyand securely gripped.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a sheet metalpull tab of the type set forth above wherein the side edges of the pulltab are reinforced through the longitudinal curling thereof.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following 13 detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a container or can end formed in accordancewith this invention and shows the same attached to a can, the viewshowing the general outline of both the tear strip and the reinforcementof the can end.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenthrough the center of the can of FIG- URE 1 along the line 2-2 and showsthe specific cross section of the can end.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 33 of FIGURE 2 and shows the specific details of a plastic pulltab and the connection between the plastic pull tab and the tear stripof the can end.

FIGURE 4, and 6 are fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional views takenalong the lines 4 55, and 66, respectively, of FIGURE 1 and show thecross sectionsof the score lines or weakening lines defining the tearstrip.

7 FIGURE? is a fragmentary top perspective view of a can with portionsbroken away and shown in section and shows the specific details of a canend similar to that of FIGURE 1 but provided with a sheet metal pull tabsecured to the tear strip by means of an integral rivet.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the can end of FIGURE 7and shows the specific details of the pull tab.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 and shows the specific relationship of the pulltab to the tear strip. a

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 1010 of FIGURE 9 and shows the specific cross section of thepull tab.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the sheet metal blank from which the pulltab of FIGURES 7 through 10 is formed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in FIGURE 2 a container or can,- generally referred to bythe numeral 15. The can 15 is provided with a can end, generallyreferred to by the numeral 16. The can end 16 is secured to a can body17 of the can 15 in a conventional manner by means of a double seam 18.The can end 16, in accordance with this invention, is of the easyopening type which does not require any opener to effect the openingthereof.

In order to facilitate the opening of the can 15, the can end 16 isprovided with a peripheral tear strip 19 which has a starting end 29.The tear strip 19 has the outer boundary thereof defined by an outerweakening or score line 21 which includes a continuous circular portion.The inner boundary of the tear strip 19 is defined by an inner weakeningor score line 22which, for the most part, is

disposed concentric with the weakening line 21. The starting end 20 ofthe tear strip 19 is, in part, defined by a starting weakening or scoreline 23 which connects together inner ends of the weakening lines 21 and22. The starting end 20 of the tear strip 19 is provided with a pulltab, generally referred to by the numeral 24-, to facilitate the ruptureof the can end 16 along the weakening lines 21, 22 and 23 and thusfacilitate the opening of the can 15. The details of the pull tab 24will be set forth hereinafter.

It has been found that during shipment and other hanling procedures cansoften times receive impacts of a nature which will rupture the samealong one of the weakening lines. It is proposed to reinforce the canend 16 in a manner so as to be of a shock absorbing nature and thusgreatly increase the capacity of the can end 16 to receive shock ascompared to the other existing types of can ends having tear stripsincorporated therein. To

this end, it is first to be noted that the tear strip 19 is the extentsthereof.

4- relatively wide as compared to the size of the can end 16 so that thetear strip in itself has a certain degree of flexibility. The can end isreinforced about a major portion of the weakening line 21 by theprovision of an inwardly or downwardly projecting bead 25, as is bestshown in FIGURE 2. The bead 25 may flex to a certain degree should therebe in inwardly directed force on the can in the vicinity of the seam 18,thus preventing the transfer of rupturing force to the can end 16 alongthe weakening line 21. In a like manner, the central portion of the canend 16 is reinforced by inwardly or downwardly depressing the same toform an offset central portion 26 having an upper peripheral wall orshoulder 27 which is disposed adjacent to the inner weakening line 22and to the starting weakening line 23 throughout From the foregoing, itwill be seen that by shaping the can end at'the time of its forming toprovide the internal head 25 and the inwardly offset portion 26 whichdoes not require any additional forming step, the strength of the canend 16 may be greatly increased over the strength of similar can ends.In a like manner, by making the tear strip 19 wide as compared tocustomary tear strips, a certain degree of resistance of rupture may beobtained through the flexing of the tear strip 19 without any sacrificein the opening advantages of the can end as compared to other can endssince the tearing of the tear strip is endwise and the width of the tearstrip is iinmaterial'as far as opening forces are concerned. Anincidental but advantageous result of the inward offsetting of thecentral portion 26 of the can end 16 is to provide clearance for a gripportion of the pull tab 24, as is shown in FIGURE 3, to facilitate thegripping thereof.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, wherein cross sectionsthrough the several weakening lines are shown. The weakening lines 21,22 and 23, which are in the form of scores, are of different depths sothat the various portions of the can end 15 have various resistances totearing. It is to be notedthat the weakening or score line 23 is thedeepest whereby the can end 16 is the weakest along the weakening line23 and thus the initial tearing of the tear strip 19 from the can end 16may be facilitated. In a like manner, since it is less important torupture the tear strip 19 along the inner weakening line 22 and thecentral portion of thecan end 19 is the weakest, the score of theweakening line 22 is of the least depth. The score or weakening line 21is of an intermediate depth. Thus, the can end 19 is proportionallyweakened along the various weakening lines in accordance with theopening requirements. 7

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 3, it will be seen that the pull tab 24is formed of a flexible plastic material and includes an elongated body28 which is provided at one end thereof with a downwardly projectingpart 29 carrying a tubular plug 30. The plug 39 is provided with arounded lower end 31 which opens internally into a bore 32 and continuesexternally into a tapered portion 33). The plug 39 is of a reduced crosssection, as at 34, to define a shoulder 35.

The body 28 of the pull tab 24 is downwardly thickened, as at 36, so asto leave an intermediate portion 37 which is the thinnest and thus whichis the weakest part of the pull tab body 28. The thickened part 36 ofthe pull tab body is disposed upwardly at a slight angle to the plane ofthe remainder of the body 28.

The thickened part 36 of the pull tab body terminates at its outer endin a downwardly sloping offset portion 38 which, in itself, may beconsidered part of a grip portion 39 of the pull tab 24. The gripportion39includes a sloping portion 41) which is integrally connected to theconnecting portion 38 and which extends generally parallel to thethickened portion 36. The grip portion 39 includes a terminaltransversely extending rib 41 on the upper surface thereof. A secondtrans verse rib 42 projects downwardly from the underside of theupwardly sloping portion 40 in longitudinally offset relation withrespect to the rib 41.

It is to be noted from FIGURE 1 that the grip portion 39 of the pull tab24 has concavely curved side edges 43. Further, the upper and lowersurfaces of the grip portion 39 are roughened, as at 44, to facilitatethe gripping thereof.

The starting end 2% of the pull tab 19 is provided with an opening 45therethrough which is defined by an inwardly or downwardly directedflange 46. The tear strip is assembled with the pull tab w by snappingthe plug down through the opening 45 with the shoulder compressivelyengaging the lower edge of the flange 46. It is to be understood thatthere is compressive engagement between the plug 36 and adjacentportions of the tear strip 19 so that the plug 3t? effectively seals theopening 45.

At this time it is pointed out that the pull tab body 28 is providedwith an upwardly projecting centering pin 47 which is co-axial with theplug 30 and may be suitably engaged by a pull tab applying tool (notshown) wherein centering of the plug 3t? with the tear strip opening maybe assured during the application of the pull tab 24 to the tear strip19.

It is also to be noted that the relative construction of the pull tab 24and the can end 16 is such that the grip portion 39 of the pull tab ispartially recessed within the recessed central portion 26 of the can end16, and at the same time gripping of the grip portion 39 may be readilyfacilitated.

Referring now to FEGURES 7 through ll, it will be seen that there isillustrated a slightly modified form of can end construction. The canend is part of a can, generally referred to by the numeral 115 and initself is referred to by the numeral 116. The can end 115 is identicalwith the can end 16 with the exception of a minor variation in theconstruction of the tear strip thereof, the tear strip being referred toby the numeral 119. Since all other portions of the can 115 areidentical with like portions of the can 15 with the exception of a pulltab, which is referred to by the numeral 120, like numerals will begiven to like previously described parts.

In lieu of the flanged opening 45 formed in the tear strip 19, the tearstrip 119 is provided with an integral upstanding tubular rivet 12-1which is crimped, as at 122, to define an enlarged head 123. The rivet121 passes through an opening 124 in the pull tab 129 and the head 123serves to retain the pull tab 126 on the rivet 121.

It is to be noted that the pull tab 12%" is formed of sheet metal and isformed from a blank generally referred to by the numeral 125. The'blank125 includes a body portion 126 which is generally trapezoidal inoutline and includes two diverging side edges 127, a narrow end 128 anda wide end 12?. Wings 13% and 131 are connected to the pull tab body 126along the side edges 12'! of the end 128, respectively.

The body 126, for the major portion of the length thereof, is of awinged channel cross section, as is best shown in FIGURE 10. The body125 is provided with a longitudinally extending depressed rib 132 whichis widened adjacent the end 129, as at 133, to provide clearance for thehead 123 of the rivet 121. The rib 132. has a base 134, as is shown inFIGURE 10. The base 134 becomes very enlarged and extends the full widthof the body 126 at the end 129 thereof. The base 134 has the opening 124formed therein.

it is to be noted that the rib 132; reinforces the body 126 againstbending transversely of the axis of the pull tab 120. The pull tab 12%is further reinforced by means of the curling of the wings 139 to definelongitudinally extending curled reinforcing edges 135.

The end of the pull tab 129 remote from the rivet 121 is transverselyand upwardly bowed, as at 136. Part of this how is formed in the wing131 and part is formed in the body 126. Immediately adjacent the body136 the wing 131 is upwardly reversely curled to define a curledtransverse enlargement 137 which, together with the body portion 136,defines a grip portion of the pull tab 12%).

It will be readily apparent that the pull tab may be formed ofrelatively thin sheet metal and due to the specific configurationthereof, it will have sufiicient strength to resist bending when anupward force is directed thereupon during the initial tearing orbreaking of the tear strip 119 along the starting line thereof. At thesame time, the connection between the rivet 121 and the pull tab 120will be sufficient to resist any accidental rupture of the pull tab 120from the tear strip 119. At this time it is pointed out that the gripportion of the pull tab 129 overlies the inwardly ofiset central portion24 of the can end and thus facilitates the gripping thereof.

It is to be understood that the can end 116 has all of the structuraladvantages of the can end 16 and that the difference between the can end116 as compared to the can end 16 is the difference-in pull tabconstruction and the manner of attaching the two pull tabs to theirrespec tive tear strips.

Although only preferred embodiments of the invention have beenspecifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understoodthat minor modifications may be made in the can end construction inaccordance with this invention within the spirit and scope of thisinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit, aperipheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, said container end having an axially offset centralportion having a border of which a major portion thereof conforms inoutline to said inner weakening line, said offset central portionstiffening said container end and thereby resisting parting of saidweakening lines, a portion of said oifset central portion conforming inoutline and being disposed closely adjacent to a portion of said outerweakening line adjacent a terminal end of said outer weakening line tofacilitate the final tearing of that portion of the container enddefined by said outer weakening line from the remainder of the containerend.

2. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit, aperipheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, said container end having an axially offset centralportion having a border of which a major portion thereof conforms inoutline to said inner weakening line, said offset central portionstiffening said container end and thereby resisting parting of saidweakening lines, and said inner weakening line terminating into saidofiset portion 3. A container end having a major portion thereofremovable as a unit, a peripheral tear strip defined in said containerend by an outer peripheral weakening line and an inner weakening lineconnected together by a connecting starting weakening line in partdefining a starting end of said tear strip, said container end having anaxially offset central portion having a border of which a major portionthereof conforms in outline to said inner weakening line, said offsetcentral portion stiffening said container end and thereby resistingparting of said weakening lines, said outer weakening line including acircular portion and said offset central portion being generally kidneyshaped in outline, and said inner weakening line terminating short of aterminal end of said outer weakening line and into said offset portion.

4. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit, aperipheral tear stripdefined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, said container end having an axially offset centralportion having a border of which a major portion thereof conforms inoutline to said inner weakening line, said oifset central portionstifiening said container end and thereby resisting parting of saidweakening lines, said outer weakening line including a circular portionand said olfset central portion being generally kidney shaped inoutline, said inner weakening line having a major portion thereofdisposed concentric to said outer weakening line, and said innerweakening line terminating short of a terminal end of said outerweakening line and into said offset portion. 7

5. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as'a unit, aperipheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining an inwardlydirected starting end of said tear strip, said container end having anoffset central portion having a border of which a major portion thereofconforms in outline to said inner weakening line, said offset centralportion stiffening said container end and thereby resisting parting ofsaid weakening lines, said offset central portion being axiallydownwardly offset, and a pull tab secured to said tear strip startingend and forming a generally aligned extension thereof, said pull tabhaving a grip portion overlying said inwardly offset central portion tofacilitate grasping thereof.

6. The container end of claim wherein said pull tab grip portion isdownwardly offset and is partially seated in said offset centralportion.

7. The container end of claim 5 wherein said tear strip has an inwardlyflanged opening therethrough, said pull tab is formed of a resilientplastic material, and said pull tab has a tubular plug portion passingthrough and sealing said pull tab opening and being locked behind saidflange.

8. The container end of claim 5 wherein said pull tab is formed ofresilient plastic material and said grip portion has roughened surfacesto facilitate the gripping thereof.

'9. The container end of claim 5 wherein said tear strip starting end isformed with an integral headed rivet, said pull tab is formed of sheetmaterial, and said pull tab has an opening receiving said rivet.

10. The container end of claim 5 wherein said tear strip starting end isformed with an integral headed rivet, said pull tab is formed of sheetmaterial, and said pull tab has an opening receiving said rivet, saidpull tab having a central depending reinforcing rib and curledreinforced edges, and one end of said rib being enlarged and contouredto receive said rivet head.

11. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit,a peripheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, said container end having an axially oifset centralportion having a border of which a major portion thereof conforms inoutline to said inner weakening line, said offset central portionstiffening said container end and thereby resisting parting of saidweakening lines, each of said weakening lines being in the form of ascore line, said starting weakening line being of the greatest depth andsaid inner weakening line being 'of the least'depth with said outerweakening line being of an intermediate depth. I

12. A plastic pull tab for attachment to a tear strip having afiangedopening, said pull tab comprising an elongated body having a dependingtubular attaching plug adjacent one end and a grip portion at theopposite end,

said grip portion having roughened gripping surfaces and 8 upper andlower transverse ribsdisposed in longitudinal offset relation. 7 a

13. A plastic pull tab for attachment to a tear strip having afianged'opening, said pull tab comprising an elongated body having adepending tubular attaching plug adjacent one end and a grip portion atthe opposite end, iaig grip portion being downwardly offset from said'14. A plastic pull tab for attachment to a tear strip having a flangedopening, said'pull tab comprising an elongated body having a dependingtubular attaching plug ad acent one end anda grip portion at theopposite end, and'an aligning pin projecting from said'pull tab bodyopposite from and axially aligned with said plug.

15. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit,a peripheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, said container end having an axially offset centralportion having a border of which a major portion thereof conforms inoutline to said inner weaken ing line, said offset central portionstiffening said container end and thereby resisting parting of saidweakening lines, and a shock-absorbing peripheral rib surrounding saidouter weakening line.

16. A sheet metal pull tab for attachment to a tear strip, said pull tabincluding an elongated body, said body having a central longitudinallyextending depending reinforcing rib, with the cross section of said bodytransversely of and through said rib being that of a winged channel,said rib including a base and said base having an attaching fastenerreceiving opening adjacent one end of said body.

17. The pull tab of claim 16 wherein said rib is relatively narrow for amajor portion of the length thereof and increases in width adjacent saidbody one end to receive a fastener head.

1S..The pull tab of claim 16 wherein said body is further reinforced bylongitudinally extending curls along the opposite sides thereof.

19. The pull tab of claim 16 wherein said body is provided at the otherend thereof with a curled transversely extending grip member.

20. The pull tab of claim 16 wherein said body is provided at the otherend thereof with a curled transversely extending grip member, said gripmember being upwardly curled and being connected to the remainder ofsaid body by an upwardly bowed transversely extending body portion.

21. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit,a tear strip defined in said container end by an outer peripheralweakening line and an inner weakening line, said outer and innerweakening lines having inwardly directed inner end portions connected.together' by a connecting starting weakening line and defining aninwardly projecting starting end of said tear strip, said container endhaving an axially offset central portion stiffening said container endand thereby resisting parting of said weakening line due to flexing ofsaid container end; said ofiset central portion having a border 'whichextends around said tear strip starting along a major portion of saidinner weakening line, and along said outer weakening line adjacent aterminal part of said outer weakening line.

22. The container end of claim 21 wherein said inner weakening lineterminates into said offset portion.

23. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit,a peripheral tear strip defined in said container end by an outerperipheral weakening line and an inner weakening line connected togetherby a connecting starting weakening line in part defining a starting endof said tear strip, each of said weakening lines being in the form of ascore line, said starting weakening line being of the greatest depth andsaid inner weakening line ens-ares being of the least depth with saidouter weakening line being of an intermediate depth.

24. A container end having a major portion thereof removable as a unit,a tear strip defined in said container end by an outer peripheralweakening line and an inner weakening line, said outer and innerweakening lines having inwardly directed inner end portions connectedtogether by a connecting starting weakening line and defining aninwardly projecting starting end of said tear strip, said container endhaving an axially offset central portion stiitening said container endand thereby resisting parting of said weakening line due to flexing ofsaid container end, said ottset central portion projecting into aterminal part of said tear strip and serving as a reinforcement for saidtear strip during the final separation thereof from the remainder ofsaid container end.

References fitted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,704,234 3/29Young 22054 2,029,329 2/36 Ljnngstrom 220-48 2,172,452 9/39 Rese 220543,080,088 3/63 Corrinet 220-60 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,084 12/ 06 Norway.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER END HAVING A MAJOR PORTION THEREOF REMOVABLE AS A UNIT, APERIPHERAL TEAR STRIP DEFINED IN SAID CONTAINER END BY AN OUTERPERIPHERAL WEAKENING LINE AND AN INNER WEAKENING LINE CONNECTED TOGETHERBY A CONNECTING STARTING WEAKENING LINE IN PART DEFINING A STARTING ENDOF SAID TEAR STRIP, SAID CONAINER END HAVING AN AXIALLY OFFSET CENTRALPORTION HAVING A BORDER OF WHICH A MAJOR PORTION THEREOF CONFORMS INOUTLINE TO SAID INNER WEAKENING LINE, SAID OFFSERT CENTRAL PORTIONSTIFFENING SAID CONTAINER END AND THEREBY RESISTING PARTING OF SAIDWEAKENGING LINES, A PORTION OF SAID OFFSET CENTRAL PORTION CONFORMING INOUTLINE AND BEING DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT TO A PORTION OF SAID OUTERWEAKENING LINE ADJACENT A TERMINAL END OF SAID OUTER WEAKENING LINE TOFACILITATE THE FINAL TEARING OF THAT PORTION OF THE CONTAINER ENDDEFINED BY SAID OUTER WEAKENING LINE FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE CONTAINEREND.